Christmas Stitches by Judith Mccoy Miller

Author:Judith Mccoy Miller [Miller, Judith; Moser, Nancy; Whitson, Stephanie Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781683229223
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Take the pie to Jonathan,” Pin’s mother said. “No man can resist mincemeat pie.”

Although Pin wasn’t eager to be rejected a second time in one day, she had to try. As she left the house, she prayed for patience and the elusive grace her father spoke about. If their positions were reversed, wouldn’t she want Jonathan to keep trying to see her?

Yet the truth was, she would never hole up in her room. When Pin was upset she made sure everyone knew about it. She understood Jonathan enjoyed solitude over company, but to use it as a wall between them? If the pie didn’t break down that wall, she didn’t know what would.

As she walked through the square, she spotted Annie peering in the windows of the sewing workshop. “Annie?”

The girl turned toward her, her cheeks tracked with tears, her eyes swollen, as was the left side of her face.

As if she’d been slapped.

“What happened?”

Annie pressed some clothes into Pin’s hands. “I don’t know who to take these to. But I want Alfie to wear something presentable for his burial.”

“I’ll make sure it’s taken care of.” Yet the clothes and her brother’s memory didn’t seem to be the reason for her tears.

Annie took a lace collar from her pocket. “Then there’s this. It tore. I need to fix it right away.”

Pin pointed to her red cheek. “You’ve been hit.”

Annie angled her left cheek away. “Can you help me mend it?”

“Of course I can, but tell me what happened.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Annie you need help. Let me help you.”

She shook her head. “Just help me fix the collar, please.”

They went inside and Pin examined the collar. Using the darning ball was the best option. “Would you like to learn how to fix lace?”

Annie shook her head. “Not today. Could you …?”

“Of course.” Pin tried to get Annie to talk, but after receiving one-word answers, she let their conversation die. Annie stared at the sewing as Pin did the mending, yet she didn’t seem to see it.

Suddenly she piped up. “Thank you for the food. It was delicious and much appreciated.”

“You’re welcome. If there’s anything else you need, just—”

“No. We’re fine.”

You are not fine. Pin glanced at the bin in the corner, to the place where people brought clothes they didn’t want anymore. “Would you like a new skirt and blouse to wear to the funeral? Help yourself from the basket over there. They’re all in good shape. People grew out of them or made something new.”

Annie eyed the basket.

“Go have a look.” She thought to add, “Just yesterday Mrs. Cumberson came in and took a new skirt for their oldest girl.”

The fact others in town had taken clothes seemed to convince her. Annie chose a blouse and a skirt and stepped behind the wooden trifold screen that served as their fitting room.

When she emerged, she was beaming. “They fit!”

“That they do. You look very pretty.”

Annie smoothed the skirt over her slender hips and looked in a full-length mirror. “Are you sure it’s all right that I take them?”

“Absolutely.

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